During the Holiday Season, as we think of all of the blessings we have in our lives, we are reminded that it is because of our Veteran heroes that we have the freedom to celebrate this time with family and friends.

I remember serving my great country during the Christmas 2003 holiday in Baghdad,Iraq. Being away from family during the holidays is difficult, but the spirit of the seasonwas with me and everyone serving with me. I think of those days and those fine soldiers every Christmas season.

I would like to share my sincere thanks and appreciation to all who assisted with the Serving Those WhoServed Program this year. This was the first year for this program and it is planned to become an annual event.IDVA estimated having 570 volunteers working in November which equaled about 2,280 hours of much neededand welcomed community service for our Illinois Heroes. According to the Points of Light, the total number ofvolunteer hours has an economic impact of $53,716.80!

We also were honored to host a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at the Disabled American Veterans(DAV) Hall—Chapter #15, in Springfield. The ceremony honored all Pearl Harbor survivors and paid tribute to themore than 2,400 Americans who lost their lives. We honored the brave men and women who gave their all duringthe attack in Pearl Harbor. The service members who fought relentlessly on December 7, 1941 are true heroes.

Every day, it is our honor to care for over 900 Veterans within the great state of Illinois and I’m proud of the factthat more and more Veterans make us their provider of choice every year. In the New Year, we look forward tocaring for the men and women who’ve served our country and continuing to provide our Illinois heroes with thehighest quality long term care.

As we celebrate the holiday season and enjoy spending time with our families, let us remember to cherisheverything that we have. Peace, security, and the ability to gather with our friends and family members shouldalways remind us of our veterans who donned the uniform in order to give us these crucial everyday comforts. I offer my holiday thanks and New Year wishes for veterans all around the world for ensuring our freedom toenjoy a peaceful and joy-filled holiday!

May God Bless you and your family!Erica Jeffries, Director, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs

HFrom the Director

Our mission at the IDVA is very simple. To serve those who have served. In doing so, we serve not only the men and women whohave worn the uniform, but also their families. It is our privilege to be able to help our veterans receive the benefits they have earnedthrough service to our nation. Our goal is to empower our veterans and their families to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

We know there are many veterans within our great state who do not require any assistance – but we still want to encourage you to“Stand Up and Be Counted!” by registering with your local VSO. In doing so, you’re helping IDVA to do a better job of planning forservices, seeking federal funding and understanding the needs of our veteran communities statewide. Click here to register.

We Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice and we at the IDVA look forward to offering our services to You.

Thank you to all who participated in our inaugural program– Serving Those Who Served! The STWS programbrought in seven other partners to increase the successof the program. Serve Illinois, Chicago Cares, Boeing,Corporation for National & Community Service, IllinoisJoining Forces, Student Veterans of America and CampusCompact. Each of these partners assisted the programwith either volunteers, funding or community serviceprojects. The program allowed organizations to registera project for volunteers to assist with during the monthof November. The website created through Serve Illinoisallowed Illinoisans to look for a project in their area and

sign up to volunteer for that project. At the end of themonth, there were 41 projects drawing in 570 volunteers.Collectively, the projects provided service, support, and assistance to over 3,730 Illinois Veterans. Includingprojects like Western Elementry School, who collected150 lbs. of candy in support of Operation Treats for Troops.

This was the first year for this program and it is plannedto become an annual event. IDVA estimated having 570volunteers working this month which equaled about2,280 hours of much needed and welcomed communityservice for our Illinois Heroes. According to the Points of Light, the total number of volunteer hours has an economic impact of $53,716.80.

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HServing Those Who Served

It's not too late to grabsome great quick holidaygifts or stocking stuffers -$3 Veteran Cash Lotterytickets - available state-wide at retailers. Thenewest Veterans Cash Lottery ticket is a great way to support our IllinoisVeterans, with 100 percentof proceeds going to benefitIllinois veterans' organizationsacross the state through theVeterans' Cash Grant Fund.

The Veterans' Cash Grant Fund has allowed for morethan $13 million in grants to 300-plus veterans' organi-zations statewide since its launch in 2006, and it is alsoavailable to receive direct donations online - a greatend-of-year donation to help other veterans.

HNeed a Gift Idea?Our Veteran Home in Quincy has received a wonderfulgift that will be enjoyed now and for generations tocome. 50 Trees of different species were replantedthroughout our property thanks to Trees for Tomorrow.Trees for Tomorrow is a local organization founded byAnne St. John and Mr. Tom Bergman of Bergman Nurseries. It was formed over ten years ago to addressthe deterioration of the trees along Quincy’s MaineStreet and for reforestation of local areas damaged bystorms. In July of 2015, the town of Quincy experiencedsome incredible straight line winds that devastatedmany areas in town including the Illinois Veteran Homecampus. They have replaced trees in areas recently destroyed by storm or pests and also used old historicphotos to restore the tree lines od decades ago.

HTrees for Tomorrow

Dec 25 & 26 Christmas – State Offices Closed

Dec 26 Kwanzaa BeginsJan 2 New Year’s Day 2017 – State Offices Closed

Jan 6 Scott Air Force Base Centennial CelebrationJan 16 Martin Luther King Day – State Offices Closed

Construction has re-started on our new Veterans Homein Chicago, Illinois. Precast wall panels and roof plankswere placed on the East end of the building right afterThanksgiving. Each day brings us closer to assistingmore of our Illinois heroes!

IDVA employmentThere are immediate-fill positions at our VeteransHomes in Manteno, LaSalle, Quincy and Anna fornurses and nurses' assistants. Visit to learn moreand apply.

H IDVA Calendar

Governor Bruce Rauner and the IDVA staff rang in theholiday season in Chicago earlier this month with thelighting of the Christmas tree at the Thompson Center.While doing so, we honored Gold Star Families in Illinoisand across the country. Each Gold Star family wereable to hang an ornament on the tree rememberingtheir loved one. The vibrant event honored, celebratedand remembered those who offered their all for our greatcountry. The tree that sits in the Thompson Center isthe official Christmas tree of the state of Illinois.

HGold Star Family Christmas Tree

The IDVA hosted a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hall—Chapter #15) in Springfield. The ceremony honoredall Pearl Harbor survivors and paid tribute to the more than 2,400 Americans wholost their lives. Rear Admiral (Retired) Nathan E. Jones offered special remarks at thesolemn ceremony. The ceremony concluded with a wreath laying in Lake Springfieldwith a 21 gun salute, playing of Taps and a bagpipe playing Amazing Grace.

H 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony

HDid You Know?

State of IllinoisDepartment of Veterans’ Affairs

0108-17, 12/16, web

(L-R) IDVA Veteran Homes Coordinator Gwen Diehl reading the Governor’s Proclamationalong with IDVA Chief of Staff Renysha Brown and Rear Admiral (Retired) Nathan Jones